Chapter 114: Sleazy Men

The triplets kept a stoic expression but Ru Yi could easily read the tension that rolled off their shoulders.

"Since the princesses were exiled," Gao Ren added, his tone less casual now. "Everything has changed for the worse. The court is tearing itself apart and the people are paying for it."

Lieyin’s grip on the reins tightened, almost imperceptibly.

"They say the emperor’s advisors are fighting among themselves," Gao Ren continued, "Each one trying to take control. And while they argue, they squeeze the rest of us dry."

"And the crown prince, rumors say he went mad after the death of Princess Lin Yuexin. Her soul go to the heavens."

One of the traders who had been quiet all these while finally spoke. "I don’t believe that the princesses killed her. They were possibly framed."

Others nodded in agreement.

Yexue shifted behind Ru Yi. If ordinary traders could believe in their innocence, then it might they’d at least done something right for the people.

But none of the sisters commented on it.

By midday, the rhythm of the caravan had settled into something almost predictable. Wheels creaked, horses breathed in steady patterns.

The traders talked loudly, laughed easily, and filled the road with a kind of careless energy that made it seem safer than it truly was.

At first, the attention the triplets received was nothing unusual. Curious glances. Casual questions. The occasional jokes. But somewhere along the road, something shifted.

It began with a look that lingered too long. Then another. Then a comment, tossed lightly between two of the men walking alongside the horses.

"Don’t you think it’s strange?" one of them said, just loud enough to be heard. "That there’s one woman traveling with three men. I mean you’re related but it’s still strange."

One of them tilted his chin subtly toward Ru Yi. "And to think she’s very beautiful. It’s best to keep her out of the wandering eyes of men."

Them being the men in question.

A few of them chuckled.

Ru Yi didn’t react. She kept her gaze forward, posture steady, as if she hadn’t heard their comments. A part of her knew she was safe with the triplets and they would never let harm come to her.

But behind her, Yexue went very still at their words.

Yexue’s hand at her waist shifted—not pulling her closer this time, but resting there with unmistakable tension.

Gao Ren led his horse closer to them. "No offense, Mo Ren. But is your sister married? I suppose not since she’s on this journey with you."

Yexue’s jaw flexed in anger but she didn’t say a word.

"A pretty face like hers needs to be admired," Gao Ren continued, oblivious to the murderous look the three sisters were sending his way.

"I’d like her to ride with me, I can give you a few gold coins for the trouble." He wiggled his brows in a suggestive manner. "If you know what I mean."

Yexue’s fingers pressed more firmly into Ru Yi’s side. "Watch your mouth," her voice was sharp, laced with warning.

Gao Ren raised his hands in mock surrender. "Just making conversation."

"There are a thousand better things to talk about," Yexue fumed.

The laughter dimmed with Yexue’s outburst. Most of the men snickered among themselves, the air around them tightening with obvious displeasure.

Lieyin had slowed their horse slightly, her gaze flicked back once to the men...cold and assessing. There was no outward reaction, but the tension in her posture spoke clearly enough.

Gao Ren studied Yexue for a moment, then let out a low chuckle. "I didn’t realize Shen Yu had such a temper."

"She– He doesn’t," Ru Yi said before Yexue could respond. She didn’t want to cause any problems for them. "He just doesn’t tolerate unnecessary noise."

A few of the traders laughed again, more cautiously this time.

"Fair enough," Gao Ren said. But his eyes lingered on Ru Yi.

After a brief pause, he leaned in slightly—not close enough to be threatening, but close enough to be deliberate.

"You should still be careful," he added, his voice lower now. "Pretty faces like yours don’t go unnoticed. It makes people like us curious." His gaze dropped briefly, taking in more than it should before returning to Ru Yi’s face. "Dangerously pretty for a traveler."

Yexue moved before she could think, her hand pulling Ru Yi back until there was no space left between them. But it was enough to put distance between her woman and Gao Ren.

The caravan slowed down but didn’t stop.

A few of the traders shifted uneasily. Even Gao Ren’s expression changed when he saw the obvious rage in Yexue’s face.

Ahead, Lieyin had already turned fully in her saddle. For the first time since they joined the caravan, there was no neutrality in her face. She threw caution to the wind, ready to lash out if Yexue gave the signal.

Qingyue’s voice cut in before anything could escalate further. "That’s enough," she said firm and controlled. "We’re traveling together for safety, let’s not forget that."

Gao Ren relaxed, then straightened on his horse. "You’re right," he said after a moment. "No harm was intended."

The rest of the journey passed more quietly. The traders still spoke, still laughed, but the tone had shifted and no one included their latest companions anymore.

By the time the sun began to dip, painting the sky in muted gold and fading light, the caravan slowed down to a stop.

"We’ll camp here," Gao Ren called out.

The spot was a shallow clearing just off the road, partially sheltered by low rock formations. Not ideal but defensible enough for a night.

The wagons were drawn into a loose circle. Horses were tied. Fires were prepared.

Ru Yi dismounted first.

Yexue followed behind, closer than necessary like they shared the same skin. Her hand brushed Ru Yi’s arm briefly before pulling away. Neither of them acknowledged it.

"Sleeping arrangements," Gao Ren called out, clapping his hands once. "Same as usual."

A few of the traders nodded, already moving toward the wagons.

Gao Ren’s gaze shifted back to Ru Yi. "Well," he said, as though the earlier tension had never existed. "We’ve got space in one of the carriages. It might be more comfortable for you than the ground."